The top official of one of South Africa’s biggest political parties has been accused of visiting a controversial self-proclaimed pastor who fled to Malawi after being accused of rape and fraud.
Floyd Shivanbu, former president Umkont Wesswe (MK), executive director of Jacob Zuma’s party, retweeted footage of him X attending Easter services at Shepherd Bushiri’s church.
Bushiri, a native of Malawi, was one of South Africa’s most famous preachers when he was arrested and charged with fraud in 2020.
After being released on bail, he was able to escape to his home country in uncertain circumstances. South Africa has been trying to hand him over ever since.
Last month, a Malawi court upheld the extradition request, but Mr. Bushiri and his wife Mary, who faces fraud charges, filed an appeal.
Mr. Bushiri is a billionaire and has founded churches in several African countries.
He is accused of preying on poor people who were desperate to improve their lives by selling products such as “miracle oil.”
The self-proclaimed prophet claimed to have cured people with HIV, showing the blind, changing the fate of the poor, and aired at least once.
Bushiri has also been charged with rape. He and his wife denied any misconduct.
South Africa’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko kubayi said that Shivanbu’s relationship with Mr. Bushiri was “a blatant disrespectful act of South Africa’s legal system.”
She added that it “burns those who believe they can escape accountability.”
Shivanbu’s own MK party also issued a statement to distance himself from his visit, saying it had taken it “in his personal abilities, without party duties or knowledge.”
The party added that “condemns the exploitation of all forms of gender-based violence and vulnerable communities, particularly innocent Christians, by individuals who manipulate their faith to avoid personal abundance and justice.”
In a post on X on Saturday, Shivanbu praised Bushiriri for his “good work.”
“Thank you to our brother, the Prophet Bushiri, for your kind words for hosting us,” he wrote.
“The amount of government size, the amount of work done to raise economically, educationally, socially and spiritually spiritually is unparalleled in the present and history.
“I know that Malawi leadership and people appreciate and cherish the so many large programs you do for the people on earth.”
He reposted footage shared by Mr. Bushiri, showing that the self-proclaimed pastor asked hundreds of worshippers in his Church of Jesus to welcome South African politicians.
Under the leadership of former President Zuma, the newly formed MK Party came in third place in last year’s election. This is a major factor in the ANC losing its majority for the first time since the introduction of democratic elections in 1994.
Shivanbu joined the party in August last year by rival economic freedom fighters (EFF), and was later appointed Secretary General, one of the party’s top positions.
